Rocky Mtn Bikes Made in Canada

[shorelocal]

I have an older Rocky Solo ('04) road bike and I noticed on the Rocky site that under the 2004 bikes archive they state that all of their bikes were made by hand in BC. Does anyone know if this is true of all the '04 models?

http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2004/index.aspx


There’s more to a Rocky Mountain bike than meets the eye. Take a closer look and you’ll see the attention to detail and dedication to innovation that has built our reputation for quality Handbuilt bikes since 1983. At Rocky Mountain, our bikes are built by people who love to ride, for people who love to ride. And because we’re passionate about riding we hand build frames to ensure each step in the building process meets our standard of quality. We miter our frame tubes individually to the most exacting tolerances. We set each tube set in a size and platform specific custom jig and tack and weld each one carefully by hand for the toughest, most perfectly aligned frame you can buy. We design and CNC our own frame components. We even hand buff, powder coat and mask frames individually by hand. And we do it all here in our factory in Vancouver, B.C. to ensure the quality, durability, and performance of our bicycles.

I'd send them an email but there's no addy listed.

[RideRMB]

From knowledge only recently they move thier maiking to freakin Taiwan. :mad: So I'd say your bike was Made in BC, just like my '07.:woot:

[coverider18]

i am lead to believe that the factory was in Abbotsford..
but lots of companys are moving over seas, cove is gone to tiwan, marzocchi is being built by SR suntour for 08, and cannondale is moving productions of their lower end bikes to asia aswell!
someone even told me devinci is moving over seas too!

[seand]

Yeti does it a tad differently


The short answer is that we manufacture in two facilities - our Colorado facility and a custom builder in Taiwan. But that's not the whole story. We are very committed to domestic manufacturing and have invested heavily over the years to equip our factory to produce the finest bicycles in the world. The production method in our Colorado facility is intentionally unhurried and precise. As such, we can only produce a limited number of frames in our facility - about 3,000 frames per year. As our products have continued to gain popularity, we have moved some production to other manufacturers. Our quality standards are very rigid so finding a qualified manufacturing facility in the USA was difficult. After trying to work domestically, we turned to a small custom frame builder in Taiwan. We have known Jeff, the owner for ten years and he has been very amenable to adopt similar techniques used in our Colorado factory. Jeff is also passionate about our rides, and has logged over 1500 miles on his 575 last year. Our engineers regularly visit the factory to ensure the frames are the highest quality possible.

These frames are then sent to us in Colorado where they go through a meticulous quality control process. Once they pass inspection, we do all the final assembly - press in the bearings and install the hardware, machined parts, and the rear shock. The manner in which we make frames takes more time, but we feel it ensures that all Yeti frames are the highest quality available.
Frames made in Colorado: 303 DH, AS-Rsl, Special Projects, and all race bikes and prototypes.
Frames made in Taiwan: ARC, AS-X, DJ, 575

[shorelocal]

Yup, got me an AS-X too ... it's my all mtn ride.

[Neal]

who wants to pay more for domestic production when there's cheaper offshore bikes?

who wants less money in their pocket, anyways? i'm gonna vote for cheap bikes and more money for me!

[Mike.T]

i am lead to believe that the factory was in Abbotsford.

Annacis Island. 1322 Cliveden Avenue, to be exact. They appear to be building at least some bikes there.

[RideRMB]

who wants to pay more for domestic production when there's cheaper offshore bikes?

who wants less money in their pocket, anyways? i'm gonna vote for cheap bikes and more money for me!

I personally would buy more expensive stuff that I know I can trust. For example Rocky has (had) highly experienced welders to build their '07 bikes. Now that most if not all of the bikes are made in Taiwan buy low paid people I can't trust that the frame has the same amount of quality and attention to detail.

[SkunkworkS]

I personally would buy more expensive stuff that I know I can trust. For example Rocky has (had) highly experienced welders to build their '07 bikes. Now that most if not all of the bikes are made in Taiwan buy low paid people I can't trust that the frame has the same amount of quality and attention to detail.

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

[biggles604]

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

I know, one day people will realise that made in Taiwan isn't a bad thing...

[shirk]

I know, one day people will realise that made in Taiwan isn't a bad thing...

OMG you mean anything that isn't made in good old Apple pie eating, baseball watching M'erica is the bestest EVER? My Super Duty F350 lifted with 44" Swampers is gunna run your little ass over for saying that.

[connor]

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

Those underaged asian kids are like an army of Terminators.

[Dom@nsmb.com]

someone even told me devinci is moving over seas too!

Indeed, but not the whole production only the entry level (sub 800$)

[DaveM]

Those underaged asian kids are like an army of Terminators.


Hey, it's keeping them off the streets.

Seriously, why is it that people think a welder works better here than overseas?

[Neeko]

My neighbuor used to weld bikes for Rocky here in BC. Was pretty cool when he told me that he laid the beads on the frame I ride.

[duke420]

Frames being made over seas means no money in the pockets of the frame builders or workers that live here in North America. Tyeoneon has frame builders that are lucky to have food in their belly and a roof over there head. WTF send good paying jobs overseas to save money. We here in USA and Canada have the highest paying working middle class in the world and we fucking deserve it. I'll pay more for a frame built here in North Am knowing its helping out my fellow blue collar brothers.

[seand]

who wants to pay more for domestic production when there's cheaper offshore bikes?

who wants less money in their pocket, anyways? i'm gonna vote for cheap bikes and more money for me!

http://mexfiles.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/walmart-evil.jpg

:)

[DaveM]

I'll pay more for a frame built here in North Am knowing its helping out my fellow blue collar brothers.

Don't you ride a Transition....welded in Taiwan?

[duke420]

Don't you ride a Transition....welded in Taiwan?

You got me on that one for sure. But I did'nt buy that bike to save money, I bought that bike because it rips. But the rest of my stable includes a Session 10 made in Wisconsin, Clifcat Chump and M6 both Made in New York, I am buying a HUKK from Danu, he is making a new frame this year and I already have put a deposit on one. :fu:

[DaveM]

^^I can't resist a zing opportunity :D

[biggles604]

Supporting the local economy is definitely something I can understand, but it still doesn't mean that you can criticise the quality of parts made int he Taiwanese factories.

[SkunkworkS]

Frames being made over seas means no money in the pockets of the frame builders or workers that live here in North America. Tyeoneon has frame builders that are lucky to have food in their belly and a roof over there head. WTF send good paying jobs overseas to save money. We here in USA and Canada have the highest paying working middle class in the world and we fucking deserve it. I'll pay more for a frame built here in North Am knowing its helping out my fellow blue collar brothers.

If a company is willing to spend their money to hire workers, build a production line/factory and make their frames in NA, then I'm all for it.

Until then, I'm sure the 50 bicycle frame welders we have in NA are getting more than ample money for the bikes that they produce.

And, uh, lets keep global warming to those 3rd world countries.

[SkunkworkS]

Supporting the local economy is definitely something I can understand, but it still doesn't mean that you can criticise the quality of parts made int he Taiwanese factories.

Even then, bicycles made overseas ARE supporting the local economy. The shippers on the docks are making some moola from the transportation of the product from Asia. Then there's the bike shop/distributor folk who sell and distribute these bikes.

I doubt your average consumer, who rides 4-5 times a year, cares if it's made here or not. But they certainly can do without a NA-made bike if it's going to be hundreds of dollars more compared to the overseas counterparts.

That said, I've love to have more bikes produced in North America. But like the online shopping debate, I'm not dishing out extra money I don't have to "support the local economy" when I can get something that is similar, equal in quality and costs considerably less.

[duke420]

Even then, bicycles made overseas ARE supporting the local economy. The shippers on the docks are making some moola from the transportation of the product from Asia. Then there's the bike shop/distributor folk who sell and distribute these bikes.

I doubt your average consumer, who rides 4-5 times a year, cares if it's made here or not. But they certainly can do without a NA-made bike if it's going to be hundreds of dollars more compared to the overseas counterparts.

That said, I've love to have more bikes produced in North America. But like the online shopping debate, I'm not dishing out extra money I don't have to "support the local economy" when I can get something that is similar, equal in quality and costs considerably less.

But some of those frame sets that come out of tyeoneon are freaking expensive. ex: Canfield bros 2000 grand plus frames.

[ESHER SHORE]

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

that's just another myth about Taiwan

only the sub entry level stuff and some of the high end monocoque stuff is welded by anything resembling a "robot"

everything else is hand welded by experienced welders typically earning about US$25,000 a year

certaintly not second rate craftsman, or underpaid children!

[XXX_er]

I met pip when banshee was new and I asked where he was making the banshee and then I asked him why Tiawan,why not vancover ?

Pip told me all the expertise, the factories ,the best bike welders ... were in tiawan cuz they been making most of the world's bikes for 20 years.If you need a certain tube you hop on a bike and ride 2 km up the road to a tube factory ,talk to the owner and you get what you want asap

that and the beach was at the other end of the road

[nouseforaname]

When Rocky Mountain wanted Chris Dekerf to learn how to weld, they sent him to the Far East.

[Straw]

If you buy a locally made product, it takes a lot less fossil fuel to deliver it to you. You're also supporting your local businesses.

It just depends where your priorities lie.

[XXX_er]

I never been all that crazy about rocky designs for the last 10 years and usually they cost mo money ... other than maybe picking up a used 10 year old steel hardtail I give Rocky a pass cuz there are so many other good bikes out there

[duke420]

If you buy a locally made product, it takes a lot less fossil fuel to deliver it to you. You're also supporting your local businesses.

It just depends where your priorities lie.

:clap:

[SkunkworkS]

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

that's just another myth about Taiwan

only the sub entry level stuff and some of the high end monocoque stuff is welded by anything resembling a "robot"

everything else is hand welded by experienced welders typically earning about US$25,000 a year

certaintly not second rate craftsman, or underpaid children!

Sweet!

[Neal]

http://mexfiles.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/walmart-evil.jpg

:)

Sean - you're on campus still, right? I'm over in Liberty. I did a customer meeting in Bentonville, Ak. with the 'mart last year. Their EA was up and a bunch of us went over for the week and kissed up their arses until they signed the PO.

'spose my point is that buying a homemade bike as a protest is kind of pointless if one runs in those circles.

[XXX_er]

You do realize that if it's made overseas, it's machine welded...

experienced welders typically earning about US$25,000 a year

certaintly not second rate craftsman, or underpaid children!

wouldnt 25K a year in Tiawan be REALLY GOOD money by their standards?

I think I heard Pip say on this board that the 1st couple of hundred pieces you give a welder here in North america were junk till buddy learns the technique

machine welding is good for some things but not bike frames

[nick]

wouldnt 25K a year in Tiawan be REALLY GOOD money by their standards?

I think I heard Pip say on this board that the 1st couple of hundred pieces you give a welder here in North america were junk till buddy learns the technique

machine welding is good for some things but not bike frames

north america has by far some of the best welders in the world. The thing is they dont build toys (bikes...) ever heard of oil fields, aerospace, nasa, nrc etc... bikes are for kids! :lol:

[Neal]

north america has by far some of the best welders in the world. The thing is they dont build toys (bikes...) ever heard of oil fields, aerospace, nasa, nrc etc... bikes are for kids! :lol:

exactly...i'm all for keeping the high value work here and offshoring the play stuff to folks who can use the work...

[XXX_er]

well if you build rocket ships but never build bikes how would you know how to weld them ?

just like tiawanese bike welders wouldnt be very good at welding oil rigs or rocket ships or a 100ton bridge section ... I still maintain all the bike making expertise is in tiawan

[nick]

well if you build rocket ships but never build bikes how would you know how to weld them ?

just like tiawanese bike welders wouldnt be very good at welding oil rigs or rocket ships or a 100ton bridge section ... I still maintain all the bike making expertise is in tiawan

trust me, welders here are WAY better in every way.

[big_perm]

trust me, welders here are WAY better in every way.
including drinking teh beers

[XXX_er]

Back in the day my dad built sections of the second narrow bridge which is how you get to the north shore ... I still wouldnt have trusted him at any point to weld a bike frame

[strahan]

welding is pretty basic stuff guys...especially when we are talking repeated identical work, on jigs, with mitred tubesets.

i'd be surprised if there wasn't an equivalent statistical distribution of good to bad welders on both continents.

[XXX_er]

Its like anything there are good and bad doctors ,lawyers ,welders ... you name it .But if you live in a place where most of the bikes in the world are made ,chances are all the best bike makers live there

my dad once told me all the really good welders who could do magic if they showed up for work ... were alcoholics

[nick]

welding is pretty basic stuff guys...especially when we are talking repeated identical work, on jigs, with mitred tubesets.

i'd be surprised if there wasn't an equivalent statistical distribution of good to bad welders on both continents.

basic... well that all depends. some welds are actually very difficult. all is not only steel and aluminum tubing. for example you have high vacuum welds for instruments in the nuclear fields, exotic materials (more exotic than titanium!) VERY thin welds and so on... the bicycle industry just cant afford that type of welder. not to say that there's no bike welder that's good, the ones that are, do it just for the love of it not the money, but that's rare... and those bike are expensive! 3000$ for a ti hardtail outch!:cry:

[strahan]

you're right - i should have said welding bikes is pretty basic.

I have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering so i'm aware that there are a few very rare applications out there that can be more difficult.

When you come across a tradesperson that is a real craftsman it's amazing to watch though.

[big_perm]

I have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering .
i feel sorry for you

[wizardB]

Back in the day my dad built sections of the second narrow bridge which is how you get to the north shore ... I still wouldnt have trusted him at any point to weld a bike frame
Those weren't the sections that fell were they :)

[XXX_er]

not sure ,but the ability to handle a 100 ton beam and lay down a bead with a 2 foot long rod that is about the thicknesss of a chainstay isnt gona help building a bike frame

[seand]

If you buy a locally made product, it takes a lot less fossil fuel to deliver it to you. You're also supporting your local businesses.

It just depends where your priorities lie.

not always true. Take the US made Sunday frames. They made the frames in the US and then shipped the bikes to Taiwan to be assembled. The final products were then shipped back and sold as a "made in USA" frame. Sure it was but still...

This is actually cheaper for them...i guess slave labor wages really do pay off!

Sean - you're on campus still, right? I'm over in Liberty. I did a customer meeting in Bentonville, Ak. with the 'mart last year. Their EA was up and a bunch of us went over for the week and kissed up their arses until they signed the PO.

'spose my point is that buying a homemade bike as a protest is kind of pointless if one runs in those circles.

Yep, still on campus..still in building 43. 'mart has such a HUGE market that it makes little sense to avoid them as an outlet to sell products. The only happy thought I have about that place is the fact they are not allowed to open up shop inside Seattle limits :)